Cathlyn is a name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Gaelic name Caitlín. The name has been used in Ireland for centuries and has become quite popular in recent years.
The meaning of Cathlyn is believed to be "pure" or "clear," with some sources also suggesting that it means "white" or "fair." This interpretation comes from the Irish word cath, which means pure, clear, or white. The name has been associated with beauty and purity since its earliest uses.
Historically, the name Cathlyn was popular among the Celtic people who inhabited Ireland during the Middle Ages. It is believed that the name was often given to daughters of noble families in order to emphasize their beauty and purity. Over time, the name spread beyond Ireland and became more widely used throughout Europe.
Today, Cathlyn remains a popular choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their daughter. While it may not be as common as some other Irish names like Saoirse or Aoife, Cathlyn still carries a certain charm and elegance that makes it appealing to many families. Its meaning of "pure" or "clear" also continues to resonate with parents who want to give their child a name with a positive and uplifting meaning.
The name Cathlyn has been a relatively uncommon choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 349 babies given this name since records began in 1917.
The peak years for the name Cathlyn were during the post-World War II baby boom, with 18 births recorded in 1953 and consistent high numbers throughout the late 1940s to early 1950s. This trend continued into the 1960s, with the highest number of births being recorded in 1961 (12 births) and 1965 (6 births).
However, from the 1970s onwards, the popularity of the name Cathlyn began to decline sharply. There were only five or fewer births each year between 1973 and 1994, indicating that it had fallen out of favor with parents during this time.
Since then, the number of babies named Cathlyn has remained consistently low, with no more than eight births recorded in any given year from 1985 to 2011. This suggests that while Cathlyn is still an option for parents today, it is not a particularly popular choice compared to other names.
Overall, these statistics show that Cathlyn was once a moderately popular name during the mid-20th century but has since become much less common in recent decades. Despite this decline in popularity, there are still some families who choose to give their daughters the name Cathlyn each year.